Shauna Corr

Despite DOE’s announcement that it will be giving Mid Ulster Council £108,000 it didn’t think was coming in terms of a rates rebate, a spokesperson for the council said it can’t reconsider the 1.95% rates rise starting in April.

“Councils are required to strike their rate by 15 February each year and so it can’t be changed,” said a statement to the Times.

When asked why the £2million surplus reported by some councillors from 2014-2015 had not been used to keep rates down, this was this answer: “In terms of in-year surpluses, the council will use these to fund one-off non-recurring expenditure.

“The £108K is welcome and the council will decide how best to apply it.”

Council chief Anthony Tohill said if the increase was vital to running facilities.

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